Italy's protest day ends with 371 detained, no repeat of last week's looting

Italy's day of protest ended with nearly 5,000 people identified, 371 detained including 110 minors, and nine arrests, with tensions and clashes reported but no repeat of last week's violence and looting. Authorities credited preventive police operations for the outcome. Clashes erupted in Rome near the Quirinale after bottles were thrown at armored vehicles, following a brief protest inside the Colosseum. Tensions also rose in Bologna, where water cannons were used and one person was injured, and in Turin and Milan, where police faced off with thousands of mostly university student demonstrators. The government defended its strategy, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanking Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and police, stating the right to protest must be guaranteed alongside citizen safety. Piantedosi praised officers for isolating violent factions, while no surprise actions announced on social media for 2:30 PM materialized.